26 BULLETIN 573, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



are becoming increasingly interested and better informed; the climatic 

 and agricultural conditions furnish excellent opportunities for sheep 

 production, and there is every reason to believe that prices for both 

 mutton and wool will continue to be high. In developing the indus- 

 try it is important to keep in mind the relationship of sheep pro- 

 duction to the other industries of the farm and to the range sheep 

 industry. It is desirable that conservative methods be followed. 

 The importance of community action should not be overlooked, and 

 serious efforts should be made to stabilize the industry. 



CONSERVATIVE PRACTICES. 



For the man who is inexperienced in sheep husbandry it is undoubt- 

 edly desirable that the start should be made in a small way and with 

 grade ewes. If he desires, he can later work gradually into pure- 

 breds. In this way the common mistakes of the beginner are made 

 with relatively inexpensive grade sheep, and by the time the pure- 

 breds are secured the requirements of good care and management 

 can have been learned. The most successful breeders of pure-bred 

 sheep at present are for the most part those who gained their early 

 experience with bands of grades or with range sheep. The success of 

 the registered flock will depend entirely upon the owner. Before 

 securing pure-bred stock the flockmaster should be prepared to give 

 the flock every advantage. By the time the necessary experience 

 and knowledge have been gained through handling a flock of grade 

 sheep the shepherd will have learned whether or not the work is to 

 his liking and whether he will be willing to devote the care and atten- 

 tion necessary to success with pure-breds. Such procedure requires 

 time, but it seems to be the only safe method to follow. 



RELATIONSHIP OF SHEEP PRODUCTION TO OTHER INDUSTRIES. 



There are but few farms on the project where a small flock of sheep 

 can not be kept with profit. It is believed that the absence of sheep 

 from many farms is due to ignorance of the farm owners regarding the 

 possibilities of sheep production. Another reason is a lack of definite 

 knowledge of the lore of sheep husbandry. It must be admitted that 

 some men can never make a success with sheep. It is questionable 

 whether the hasty, impatient, quick-tempered, or careless man can 

 succeed in any live-stock industry, particularly with sheep or dairy 

 cattle; but to the man who has an inherent interest in farm animals 

 and to whom it is a pleasure to see stock kept thrifty, comfortable, 

 and contented, the small farm flock of sheep is a source of both 

 profit and pleasure. The production of such flocks fits in well with 

 the other industries of the irrigated farm in this section, as already 

 has been pointed out. It is necessary, however, for the farmer to 

 adjust his sheep-production activities to his other farming operations, 



